Scotland and culture

New Year in ScotlandThere are many customs associated with Hogmanay (the name given to the last day of the year):- 'first-footing' involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour.- Singing 'Auld Lang Syne' - a traditional poem by Robert Burns

Scotland is part of Great Britain (Great Britain = England + Wales + Scotland) and of the United Kingdom (UK = GB + Northern Ireland). Scotland shares a land border to the south with England (this border is not very far from the wall that was built in 122 AD during the rule of Hadrian (Roman emperor). It is bounded by the North Sea on the east and the Atlantic Ocean on the west.

Scotland has some 790 islands - 130 inhabited

Capital City: Edinburgh Major Cities: Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee

Highest Point: Ben Nevis

Floral Emblem: The Thistle

National Day: St Andrew's Day (30th November) Burns' Night is an annual celebration of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns. (25th January)

National Animal: The Unicorn

The Official Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom

On the left the shield is supported by the English Lion.

On the right it is supported by the Unicorn of Scotland.

In 1296, Scotland was under the domination of Edward I King of England

William Wallace (Braveheart) (1272 - 1305)

Wallace is a national hero. He was one of the main leaders during the First War of Scottish Independence. In 1297, he defeated the English forces at Stirling Bridge.

Taken prisoner, he was executed in London in a barbarous manner.

The Battle of Stirling Bridge

Robert Bruce (1274 - 1329)

He was crowned King in 1306. In 1307 he began a campaign to drive the English out of Scotland. Bruce is considered one of Scotland's greatest kings, as well as one of the most famous warriors of his generation.

The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 was an especially important Scottish victory.

In 1328, a treaty recognized the independence of Scotland. (After Bruce's death, the 2nd War of independence took place between 1332 and1357.

James VI (1566 - 1625)

He became King of Scotland at the age of thirteen months. In 1603, he succeeded Elizabeth I who died leaving no heir. He then became King of England as James I .He was the first king to rule over Scotland and England.

In 1605, he escaped the Gunpowder Plot organizedby a group of Catholics.

However the kingdoms of England and Scotland were individual sovereign states. Both countries would remain separate for another 104 years.

They wanted to blow up the House of Lords.

Flag of the kingdom of Great Britain

(used until 1801 when the UK was created)

During the following years, England and Scotland had one monarch but two parliaments and two flags.

In 1707, the Act of Union was signed, the Scottish parliament was dissolved. England and Scotland became one country.

The red cross of St. George, combined with the blue background of the Scottish flag, gave the flag of the Kingdom of Great Britain.